Livelihood vulnerability increases human–wildlife interactions

Summary Human–wildlife interactions (HWIs) occur in many rural African communities, with potential impacts on livelihood vulnerability. High vulnerability may force communities to employ strategies that increase the risk of negative HWIs, yet extent which HWIs drive or are driven by is unclear. We hypothesized more vulnerable households likely be exposed wildlife and experience interactions. To test this hypothesis, we calculated Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) around Quirimbas National Park (north-eastern Mozambique) assessed whether there a link between HWIs. found two-way association LVI indeed taking greater risks encountering when fetching water from rivers, whereas less tended not encounters. also observed exert strong effect vulnerability, suggesting should included as an exposure factor assessments for households. recommend community considered designing HWI mitigation schemes implementing conservation measures.